According to a recent study, overweight and obesity increase the risk of ischemic stroke, which is a brain damage caused by an obstruction of a blood vessel that irradiates the brain, and not a hemorrhagic stroke that occurs due to a breach of a cerebral artery – explains Dr. Simona Marcheselli, Head of the Emergency Neurology and Stroke Unit at the Humanitas Hospital. In particular, excess weight and obesity are also associated with other risk factors of ischemic stroke, such as diabetes and hypertension, the latter also a common risk factor for hemorrhagic stroke. Therefore, to prevent it you need to lose weight by following a balanced diet and practice aerobic physical activity in a regular and constant way. In fact, diet and physical activity are the tools to avoid weight gain or shred excess pounds and thus prevent all cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. Finally, not smoking, limiting alcohol and managing stress help to reduce the risk of stroke by preventing or controlling hypertension, diabetes, cardiac arrhythmia and blood fat levels (dyslipidemia).
